Heavy fighting between rival groups within the national armed forces is raging in several places in Sudan for the second day in a row. Doctors report that at least 56 civilians have been killed, as well as at least dozens of military personnel.
A fierce battle is raging in particular for the control of the capital Khartoum. The paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claims to have seized key military and civilian installations. Yesterday, the group claimed to have occupied the presidential palace – but the other camp denies these claims.
‘Bullets, explosions and fighter jets’
Residents of the city are hiding from the violence. “The only sounds here are bullets and explosions and fighter jets,” one woman told The New York Times. On the orders of the authorities, the internet has been shut down throughout the country, Sudan’s largest telecom company reports to Reuters.
Watch footage of the battle here:
Fighter jets carry out bombing raids on RSF positions. Negotiations with insurgents are out of the question, the army said in a statement. In turn, the RSF says to continue fighting until the group is in full control.
Generals in the clinch
The coup attempt started yesterday. Under the leadership of General and Vice President Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, RSF is trying to take power. He is one of the military leaders who took part in the 2021 coup.
Since then, a group of generals has held power in the African country. Hemedti was then appointed as deputy to President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. But the two generals are at odds over how the RSF should become part of the government army.
Tensions between the rival generals had already risen in recent times. As a result, talks between civilian groups and army leaders about the formation of a transitional government have come to a standstill.
International pressure is being exerted to end the conflict quickly, but so far without effect. UN chief Guterres, top EU diplomat Borrell, African Union commission head Faki and Arab League chief Aboul Gheit, among others, have called for a ceasefire.
Dutch people
It is unclear how many Dutch people are staying in Sudan. The embassy is in contact with about fifty Dutch people. The travel advice for Sudan is red. “There is widespread violence in the country between paramilitaries and the army, especially in and around the capital Khartoum,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
- ‘UN employees killed in Sudan’, embassy in contact with 50 Dutch people
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- Combat group Sudan and army claim capture of presidential palace, at least 3 dead
